you can get a malibu set up like that. It's hella dumb IMHO because you lose all of the storage in the observer's compartment and shorten up the seats on the starboard side. Probably results in an ass-kicking on resale too. But it can be done.

There are a few boats that do that.... I know off the top of my head the old Malibu 25LSV does that. Maybe it is an option in the 247 or the 23LSV?? If you can track one down, I bet you will get a much better price on it, cause for most people that is a turn off.

Malibu is now offering an optional Sport Seating package that comes with two of the new 2008 swivel driverís seats. So the passenger can enjoy 8-position adjustment, automotive-style lumbar support and a front facing view. The passengerís captain seat can also be accessorized with power adjustment and a seat heater."

If a new girl is out of the question, the nautique 226 has a reverseable observer seat. Not too sure what kind of boat you're looking for but that's more of a family style cruiser than a true wakeboarding boat. If that's out of the question you could get a jump seat, put it next to the driver, and face it forward. Like this one. It's more comfortable than it looks.

For a wakeboat at 30k or less I think the Tige 23V might be your only option. The good news is you should be able to get one for 18-25k so you will have extra to add ballast, perfect pass, tower, stereo, etc... if it doesn't have that stuff. Here is one in the Seattle area. It is priced a little high. Should be right around 18-20, especially with no tower, pp or ballast. Although it looks ridiculously clean so it may be worth that even without those options.

have her read this thread and look at 99% of the wakeboard boats out there and maybe even talk to some of her friends that may have a boat and maybe she will see the light. i can almost promise that you and eventually her will be sorry if you purchase a boat with seating like that. i showed my wife the seat in a x35 at a boat show once and she was like thats dumb where would we put all our stuff.

after owning a ski boat for the biggest portion of my life girls are going to be in the bow if its hot and your moving, on the sunpad if your stopped or idling of cuddled up in a blanket with the heater hose going if its cold. well unless your super lucky and she is driving like my wife does most of the time.

I didn't know they had this much input when not in the kitchen....strange. Tell her facing backwards will keep her apron from flying up in the wind, Im sure she'll understand and side with you on this.

My wife had the same wish. After looking at boats and we relized we could afford the x35 we went with a standard set up. Our new Sanger 237 rocks and she has no complained. Since she is your girl friend and not your wife now is the time to train her right. Get the beat boat you can afford and if she is not happy trade her for a better model.

I didn't know they had this much input when not in the kitchen....strange. Tell her facing backwards will keep her apron from flying up in the wind, Im sure she'll understand and side with you on this.

Just remember if you do get a new chick you need to chick proof the house. Make sure that there aren't any pot handles hanging over the stove so she doesn't knock the dinner she is making you on the ground while she is mopping the floor...

waaaait, you have too many bills to afford a boat on your own, so going halvsies with some gf on a wake boat where she can face forward is the next logical decision? NOW I get it. At first I thought you were making a huge mistake, but now with added debt I completely see the reasoning.

My Saltare has a sort of loveseat drivers seat, room for two. I would be surprised if some of the larger new boats didn't have something like that? I know I've seen some with a reversible mid bench right behind the drivers seat, but not sure if that's what she's looking for. Anyhow, old style loveseat... Could always build one or buy one and reupholster to match your interior if it'll fit.

I will say from experience, I had a 93 sport nautique with dual bucket seats, a pretty rare option. I and the wife both thought it was cool to turn it around. It happened once or twice, because we could, not because we wanted to. Both of us realized it was a waste of space, and lacking because only one person could sit in that seat vs a loves eat that is on most boats now. Just one more opinion on the delema.